Official Draft Thread: Prospects Watch

[msmoore66]

how is Adams anything like Drummond? he hasn't impressed at all in the few games I've watched

Would you mind giving me a summarized scouting report on Adams, we have zero coverage of Pitt games over here so would be interesting to see what you think.

[thelead]

Smart is on ESPN right now.

[KillMonger]

Adams i believe is staying another year and he needs to, he is really raw probably more raw than Noel

[BaunceyChillups]

Smart was brutal from the field tonight but 8 boards, 7 assists, 4 steals with no turnovers.

[KillMonger]

Smart seems like the Deron Williams to me, he can do a lot of different things he's like a swiss army knife Point Guard plus from what i hear he's a great leader. Sounds like exactly the type of guy we can get Jameer to groom until he's ready to take over and Meer's ready to go to the bench

[No-Man]

Smart seems like the Deron Williams to me, he can do a lot of different things he's like a swiss army knife Point Guard plus from what i hear he's a great leader. Sounds like exactly the type of guy we can get Jameer to groom until he's ready to take over and Meer's ready to go to the bench

He's a worse shooter than DWill and by far a better defender.

Smart is a guy on JKidd mold.

[BaunceyChillups]

Smart's athleticism is very similar to Deron's in that their greatest asset is their strength as opposed to blow-by ability or change of direction speed. However Deron, unlike Smart, was an incredible ball-handler and had a more reliable perimeter shot although he inconsistent year-to-year in college. That said Deron was already 21 on draft night while Smart will be only 19, Smart's also got good form and mechanics on his jumper so he can probably be a serviceable perimeter shooter in time.

[Def Swami]

Smart has time to work on his jump shot. The thing I love about Smart is that when his shot isn't falling, he's contributing in a plethora of other ways. And like a true point guard should, he gets his teammates involved.

From Chad Ford's chat today:

C- (US)
Love Marcus Smart's game, what team do you think will draft him?

Chad Ford (1:34 PM)
Me too. I think he's the best NBA PG prospect in the draft. Could be a potential Top 6 pick. The Magic look like the best team in the lottery for him. They are the one lottery team that could use a young PG the most. Maybe New Orleans or Sacramento.

[G-Heel]

I'm not sold on Smart. Stats isn't everything, but he shoots 42% and average only 4.6 assists on 3.2 TO, sounds like a recipe for disaster. I like the 2.9 steals and 51% 2PT isn't bad, but he definitely needs to work on that 3PT if he wants a successful NBA career.

Right now, if we have 1st pick, I'd take Noel. He's averaging 4.6 blks and 2.2 steals, that's ridiculous. He is obviously very raw on offense, but long-term, he may be a better prospect than Anthony Davis.

So far, it seems like this year lacks that clear-cut #1, but I'll be happy with any of Noel, McLemore, or Shabazz. Smart is OK, just need to work really really hard on that shot and I'm not sure I would take him top 3 without it.

[in-limbo]

I would be very happy with Noel at this point. Shot blocking is a nice trick to have and this guy can block shots as well as anyone. Pair him with WIggins and the other team might never get a shot up.

[Cigamodnalro]

Noel will distance himself as the clear #1 pick by May in the same way that Kyrie did a few years ago (another draft without an early consensus #1). I have some doubts--those skinny legs and his relatively high center of gravity will make him easy to back down into the post at the next level, and the guy falls every 3 plays in the NCAA as it is. Scouts doubted his motor in HS but it had by all accounts been phenomenal at Kentucky. He shoots 40% from the line. But that combination of height, length, athleticism, defensive awareness, aggressiveness, and passing (which might be the most underrated aspect of his game) will be too much to pass up.

One thought: If Charlotte gets the #1 pick do they draft McLemore (very good shooter at a position of need) or Noel? If Noel, do they play him next to Biyomo? That's a lot of defensive presence, but like 0 offense, out of their bigs. Couple that with MKG, and it becomes even more of an issue.

[BaunceyChillups]

I'm not sold on Smart. Stats isn't everything, but he shoots 42% and average only 4.6 assists on 3.2 TO, sounds like a recipe for disaster. I like the 2.9 steals and 51% 2PT isn't bad, but he definitely needs to work on that 3PT if he wants a successful NBA career.

Right now, if we have 1st pick, I'd take Noel. He's averaging 4.6 blks and 2.2 steals, that's ridiculous. He is obviously very raw on offense, but long-term, he may be a better prospect than Anthony Davis.

So far, it seems like this year lacks that clear-cut #1, but I'll be happy with any of Noel, McLemore, or Shabazz. Smart is OK, just need to work really really hard on that shot and I'm not sure I would take him top 3 without it.

Smart's perimeter shot is very unreliable but he makes it up for it by getting to the foul line a lot at 6 times a game, as a result he's got a pretty solid TS% of 55 which is better than Shabazz's.

[cedric76]

We need to get Marcus Smart

Building core:


PG:Smart
SG:
SF:Moe
PF:AN(If bulk up and improve his D)
C:Vuc

[InFlames]

I will be happy with Noel, McLemore, Shabazz or Marcus Smart. Noel's upside is just ridiculous, and I think a frontcourt of him and Vooch could be good, but Nicholson looks like future starter material so I don't know. Wing talent is needed most, but If I had to choose I don't think I could pass up Noel, his potential is massive.

I forgot what it was like to be excited about the draft.

[Def Swami]

The amount of uncertainty with Noel scares me. He's a good shot blocker, but I don't know if that makes him a defensive force in the NBA. He's still very light for a center. His game is too reminiscent of Hasheem Thabeet right now, who also was an extremely dominant shot blocker with raw offensive skill. If we drafted him, I'd be cool with it since I trust our scouting and management to draft the BPA. I still like Smart and McLemore more.

[magicman123]

We need to get Marcus Smart

Building core:


PG:Smart
SG:
SF:Moe
PF:AN(If bulk up and improve his D)
C:Vuc

I think Nicholson will be a solid bench player, i dont see him as a starting PF

smart would also be a good option

[blue and white]

We need to get Marcus Smart

Building core:


PG:Smart
SG:
SF:Moe
PF:AN(If bulk up and improve his D)
C:Vuc

I think Nicholson will be a solid bench player, i dont see him as a starting PF

smart would also be a good option

+1 I view him as a really good backup pf, his strength is he can score at will and his defense is ok but not great. so I think he can be a great spark off the bench as i dont think he meshes well next to the lack lust defender Vuc. He could even finish games if you need offense over defense coming down the stretch

[Tarot Magician]

The more I watch Victor Oladipo, the more he looks like a Mickael Pietrus that won't embarrass your ball club by stepping out of bounds to chuck needless 3's. Nasty athleticism and great defensive potential. Not fully developed offensively, but he's shooting efficiently this season (64/51/71 on 2's/3's/FT), which is either an anomaly or the results of hard work (most likely a mixture of both).

If he's the type of player who could make the All Defensive Team multiple times, I hope the Magic can get another mid/late first rounder this year. It took him two seasons at Indiana to make a dent offensively and the Magic aren't looking to make the playoffs in the next (?) seasons anyway.

[BaunceyChillups]

Shabazz with 22 points on 23 shots and was pouting at the end of the game even though his team won

[thelead]

Shabazz with 22 points on 23 shots and was pouting at the end of the game even though his team won

and people questioned the "selfish chucker" label I gave him from high school This dude has been a prima donna from the day the national media began to follow him. His attitude sucks.